I am proud to announce that one of my designs has been featured in this July's issue of Cloud Orchid Magazine! Cloud Orchid is an indie fashion magazine based in the Milwaukee/Chicago area, and focuses on dark, alternative high fashion. Here is their website if you would like to learn more, and also the link to purchase this month's issue featuring my clothing. http://cloudorchidmagazine.com/Cloud Orchid Magazine Issue 04- July 2013

When I moved to Milwaukee last year, I began searching for photographers that I might work with. One of the first photographers I found who I was really excited about was Vismaya of Colours of Dreams Photography. Unfortunately when I wrote her about working together, she was traveling abroad.

By the time Vismaya was back in Milwaukee and ready to collaborate on a project, I was moving back to Arkansas. We didn't let that stop us though- she sent me a photo for inspiration to create a costume. I made it here in my studio in Arkansas, using the model's measurements as a guide without ever meeting her, and then mailed Vismaya the costume, and she put together the photoshoot. It's a little nerve-wreaking to do shoots this way because I have no chance to see the outfit and make sure it fits properly, or alter it at the last minute if I needed to. But somehow, it always works out.

And if I'm going to be totally honest.... I actually prefer working this way rather than the alternative-- that I go to the photoshoot in person-- because a) I get so nervous the day of a shoot I can't eat all day- just like when I used to do theater, day of the show jitters.
And b) when I go to the shoot, everyone expects me to direct them, which would be fine if it was a standard commercial shoot and I was just telling them how to show my clothing, but for a creative concept like this I think it's better to let the photographer and model have the space and freedom to play with the outfit, and spontaneously brainstorm some amazing ideas. If I'm standing there watching and gasping every time the dress sweeps the floor I think it takes some of the fun out of it, haha!

You may be surprised to learn that the entire ensemble- dress, gloves, and headpiece- are made almost completely from upcycled materials. The sparkly black fabric of the dress was from an amazing vintage jacket that I hemmed up considerably and saved the leftover piece. The sleeves and bodice were made from vintage slips. The headpiece was made by taking a piece of black t-shirt, cutting holes through it and wrapping it with strips of vintage tissue lamé, then adding beads and feathers. The gloves were made from a black cashmere dress that was unfortunately devoured by moths (but there was plenty left for gloves), and embellished with lamé ruffles, chains, and beads.

Friday, July 12, 2013

My "Tower of Babel" treasury won this week's flashmob challenge! The theme this week was "A Foreign Affair", and there were several prizes given- this won the category of "Best Treasury"! I also won a prize in the category of "Best Comments"- a big surprise to me. I left comments in Klingon on everyone's treasuries. I had to look up the phrases, and it was a lot of fun. Klingon is basically a language of insults. Here's a little sample of some Klingon:

vavlI' quv Say'moHmeH nuj bIQ vIlo'chugh, nuj bIQ vIlammoH.

If I use spit (mouth water) to clean your father's honor, I only dirty the spit.

jIl moH ghajjaj jaghHomlIj

May your rival have an ugly neighbor

rut lo' chav meb. lot ru' mev chab.

Sometimes a guest achieves a use. The dumpling stops a minor catastrophe.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

I have been sketching some wedding gown designs for a client who wants a unique wedding gown. She loves ethnic prints, bright color combinations, mosaics, nature, and textural embellishments. Here are my first 5 sketches for her...

I will show you each sketch first in black and white, and then my water-colored version of each (which is merely a palette suggestion). Also noteworthy- I drew them all as full-length gowns but any of these would also work as a hi-lo hem or knee length skirt.

1. Sunset Gown.
Dress is hand dyed silk, with a sheer silk overlay on the skirt, and continuing over the bodice to go over one shoulder. Tie belt cinches in waist. Dyeing both layers of silk in sunset colors would give the dress a gorgeous, shimmery depth of color. Bodice has a sweetheart neckline, skirt is full and gathered at waist. This design is elegant and timeless and looks good on everyone.

2. Mosaic Garden Dress.This dress would be primarily a white fabric- many options possible such as raw silk, heavy white satin, cotton lawn, or even cotton jersey which would give a great fit. Simple strapless top and long skirt with a slight train at the back. Back of the skirt is appliqued with tiny "mosaic tiles" of silk to make a pattern of butterflies and flowers. Design would continue around the bottom of the skirt in the front, but wouldn't go up so high on the dress. I didn't include this in the drawing but it would be pretty to do lots of tiny white buttons going down the back. This dress is chic, eye catching, and also could be made eco-friendly by using upcycled silks for the applique.

3. Melting Pot GownThis gown combines many ethnic influences. I think raw silk would be a great choice for the main body of the dress. Bodice is one-shouldered and has colorful silk appliqued trim along top that simulates jewels. Waist cinches in with a silk obi belt in a contrasting color. Skirt features an array of fabrics and textures, including fabric flowers, ruffles, applique, and patterned fabrics, perhaps sari fabric! A bold and festive gown.

4. Rose Trellis Gown.
This dress features a ruched silk bodice and a long skirt with a slit to one side on the front that opens to reveal pleated silk in a contrasting color. Fabric roses surround the slit and travel all the way up the dress, over the contrasting waistband and the bodice and traveling over one shoulder to form a strap. I am envisioning the dress in rich purples, indigo, and berry pinks, with a brighter teal or blue in the pleated slit so the color really pops. This dress is feminine, romantic, and fit for a queen.

5. Modern Grecian Gown
This gown combines Grecian and Indian influences. The main part of the dress would be composed of pieced silks, shown here in a warm palette of reds, oranges, and pinks, to form a simple sleeveless sheath bodice and a long a-line skirt. A sheer silk in a complimentary color would wrap around the bodice and hips, and over one shoulder. I added a thin silk belt to define the waistline. This dress is bold and modern with couture details, yet has roots in ancient culture which give it a timeless quality.

6. Rose Garden Felted Dress.
This is a dress I made two years ago, which was purchased as a wedding gown. I am including it because I think it could be done in many color combinations and also as a full length gown. I think it would be stunning in fuchsia, orange, and purple. The bodice of the dress is silk embellished with upcycled lace taken from a vintage slip. The skirt is solid silk with a sheer silk overlay that has nuno-felted roses scattered over it. (Photo credit, Amber Herrera 2011, model Heaven Townsend)